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World Leaders Hold Emergency Meeting; Biden to Send More Air Defense to Ukraine; New Wave of Russian Strikes; Joe Cirincione is Interviewed about Russia; Pennsylvania Daycare Center Sends Dozens to Hospital; Uvalde Community Divided over Response; LA City Council President Resigns. Aired 9-9:30a ET

Aired October 11, 2022 - 09:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[09:00:17]

BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everyone. I'm Bianna Golodryga.

Happening right now, emergency meeting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joins President Biden and G7 leaders to plead for more support as an increasingly dire situation unfolds in Ukraine.

Plus, fresh attack. A new round of Russian missiles strike targets in cities across Ukraine this morning, just one day after a bombardment killed at least 19 people and injured more than 100.

And a new promise, President Biden offers Ukraine another round of security assistance, including advanced air defense systems, as he vows to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes and atrocities. CNN has every angle of this developing story covered. Our reporters, correspondents and guests are all standing by to bring you the very latest.

But let's begin this hour with CNN international diplomatic editor Nick Robertson. He's following all of the headlines out of this G7 meeting.

We're still waiting for President Zelenskyy. But the message has been all along from him, very consistent one, air defense is their number one priority. How are allies responding, Nic?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: So far we know from the Germans, from the United States, from the British, they're very supportive of what President Zelenskyy is saying. Obviously key for President Zelenskyy is that he maintains and his allies maintain that unity. And that, of course, will be part of his message. We know that President Biden has said that he will supply sophisticated air defense systems. We know that the Germans yesterday initiated sending one of four sophisticated air defense systems to Ukraine.

This meeting, this G7 meeting, was initially expected to talk about energy security, possibility of putting a price cap on Russian oil and gas products. That's what we heard from the British prime minister late yesterday. But it now encompasses these latest acts by Russia, strikes yesterday and today again, these cruise missile and drone strikes across many cities, and they're targeting the energy producing capacity and capability of Ukraine.

So, there's likely to be a request from President Zelenskyy to continue the support, to prioritize air defenses, and is also likely to point to the success that Ukrainian forces are having on the battlefield at the moment. And that also is central for him because it shows that the support he's getting is working, it's successful. And that's key.

GOLODRYGA: Yes, over 80 cruise missiles were fired by the Russians yesterday. I believe 40 of them were intercepted by the Ukrainians.

Ukraine today just saying it intercepted 18 cruise missiles in two waves this morning.

Nic Robertson, thank you.

So, let's get right to CNN's Phil Mattingly at the White House.

Phil, the president has been in communication with President Zelenskyy and has pledged, as we've reported, to continue to support Ukraine with what it needs, including that crucial air defense system.

Is President Biden willing to sign off on longer range systems that the Ukrainians have also requested?

PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, U.S. officials have been very cagey in terms of whether or not the president is willing to go further than he has up to this point.

Now, keep in mind, there has been significant shorter and mid-range air defense capabilities that have been delivered to Ukraine, or committed to Ukraine, most notably on these NASAMS, these surface-to- air missiles that the president signed off on, on an expedited basis. One to two of those systems could be delivered in the coming days or weeks according to officials. U.S. officials view those as critical.

The Ukrainians have requested even more advance systems. U.S. officials have not signed off on those yet. But what they have done behind the scenes is work on procuring other missile defense systems, like the S-300 systems, working with Slovakia to get those Soviet era systems transferred into Ukraine. There's a lot of diplomatic efforts as well as what the U.S. is capable of providing.

Now, we know, Bianna, that the call between - or the video conference between the G7 leaders that will be started by President Zelenskyy started at 8:09 a.m. There are going to be several issues confronted, as Nic just laid out here. But, certainly, the most acute in the wake of the last couple of days is on the air defense systems. We knew President Zelenskyy was going to make explicit and specific requests related to air defense systems. Not just of the U.S., but of all of the G7 leaders.

There's also the issue that's been hanging over everything, and that is, given this current path of escalation, whether or not there are the concerns that President Biden laid out in an off camera fundraiser last week about potential use of nuclear weapons.

This was what top National Security Adviser Aide John Kirby said just a few moments ago on "NEW DAY."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KIRBY, NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL COORDINATOR FOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS: We can't just take their word for it. So that's why we're continuing to monitor their nuclear capabilities as best we can.

I can tell you that as of this morning, Brianna, we still have seen no indication that Mr. Putin has decided to use weapons of mass destruction or nuclear weapons at all at any level.

[09:05:05]

And we have seen nothing that would give us reason to change our own strategic deterrent posture when it comes to protecting our interests over in Europe.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTINGLY: And that U.S. posture and U.S. intelligence has been consistent throughout. But as you can see, a very dynamic situation. A number of issues that the leaders need to address in this ongoing video conference.

Bianna.

GOLODRYGA: All right, Phil Mattingly, thank you.

And later this evening, President Biden will speak exclusively with Jake Tapper. This interview begins at 9:00 Eastern on Jake's new primetime show, "CNN Tonight with Jake Tapper."

Well, this morning, air raids sirens blaring across multiple parts of Ukraine as Russian forces slam the country with a fresh round of missile attacks.

CNN's senior international correspondent Frederik Pleitgen is in Kyiv, Ukraine.

And, Fred, at least one person died this morning. This, of course, after multiple deaths Monday following those attacks. What more are you learning today?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, up to 19 deaths yesterday, and multiple attacks across the county here in Ukraine. I can tell you from early this morning, at the time that we were waking up, this city once again was under an air raid alarm as well. And that air raid alarm, Bianna, went on for a total of five hours. So, during that point in time, you could almost see no people here in the streets. Of course, all the shops are closed as well.

Now that air raid alarm has been lifted, at least for the time being. You do see people coming out. I'm still at that site where yesterday a playground was hit by one of those rocket attacks. It was one of the first missile attacks that came down on the city just yesterday. Obviously, as you can imagine, shaking a lot of people. But I would also say, Bianna, there is a great deal of defiance here in the Ukrainian capital as well. There are already people who are cleaning up here, who are tidying up here, making sure that they can get back to some sense of normalcy, even though, as you've been saying very correctly, that blitz still continues by the Russians.

I do have a bit of an update as well. The Ukrainians have been saying that they shot down 18 cruise missiles. Apparently they've now upped that to saying that they've shot down 20 cruise missiles, some 28 that today have been fired at their territory. So, you can see that barrage still continues from the Russian side.

Also, there were some facilities that were hit in the west of the country, in Lviv. Apparently, some energy facilities. And that town of Zaporizhzhia, that the Russians have been firing at so much over the past couple of - almost ten days now, that got hit once again as well. At the same time, it seems as though the attrition of the war seems to be taking a toll on the Russians as well. The head of the British spy agency coming out today and saying that it's taking a huge toll on the Russians as far as manpower is concerned, but also that apparently, according to the assessment of the Brits, that they're running low on ammunition as well, the Russians are, and so, therefore, he believes that the Russians are really in a difficult position. But you know what, from what we can see, at least for the past 24, 36 hours, definitely a lot of firing still going on as the Russians continue to shoot those missiles at Ukraine, Bianna.

GOLODRYGA: Yes, John Kirby, this morning, seemed to confirm the U.K. assessment that they are running short of their stockpile there in Moscow.

Frederik Pleitgen, thank you.

Well, Ukraine's state run nuclear energy company says a company official has been abducted by Russian forces. They say the alleged kidnapping happened at Zaporizhzhia, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Now, this comes after dozens of civilians were killed by Russian strikes in the area over the last week.

Joining me now is Joe Cirincione, a national security expert. He formally served as president of the Plowshares Fund, a global security foundation.

Joe, great to you have on.

Really frightening topic that we are discussing. That is the threat of a nuclear attack. But here we are in this stage of the war.

Let me ask you about Zaporizhzhia, under the control of Russian forces and that region illegally annexed by Russia just weeks ago. How concerned are you about any potential accident? Well, we'll talk about a deliberate attack by the Russians in a moment. But just the idea of a nuclear accident in that region, how worried are you with that? JOE CIRINCIONE, NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERT: Experts around the world are

worried about this, and I'm one of them. The head of the IAEA is very concerned about. They've been trying for months to get a no fire zone declared around that plant. That's because there are multiple risks, a shell, a missile that can fracture the reactor or the storage facilities there. But most importantly, the cutoff of electricity. If you cut the electricity off to those reactors, they just have backup generators and those won't last very long. So you could be seeing a meltdown or another type of accident like that. It's of grave concern. It's another one of Putin's nuclear threats against Ukraine.

GOLODRYGA: And not just Ukraine then, right? We -- as we mention, this is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, and the threat would pose not just to Ukraine or even Russia, but to Europe as a whole.

CIRINCIONE: Right. That's exactly right. You can see an accident like this in some ways spews out more radioactivity than the use of a nuclear weapon. You could see clouds of radioactivity spreading west into Europe, or depending on the wind, east into Russia itself.

[09:10:06]

GOLODRYGA: Now, in terms of the use of a potential tactical nuclear weapon, are you reassured when you hear analysis from both the U.K. officials and intel officials in the United States that at least thus far they don't see any movement on the part of Russia indicating that they would be in the midst of potentially using a nuclear weapon right now?

CIRINCIONE: Exactly. Most of Russia's nuclear weapons are stored in central locations. We keep close eyes on those locations. So, we would probably see them moving one of the hundreds of weapons we left Putin with after the end of the Cold War. And trying to make it to an Iskander missile or other delivery system. Most likely we'd see that. We see none of that. We see no preparation along those ways. So you -- it's not a probable event. It's not even likely. But this is a low probability, high consequence event. If he uses even one nuclear weapon, he's bringing us into a whole new world. He's causing massive damage. And he's running the risk of escalation with exchanges from the west that could lead to further exchanges, et cetera.

So, even though this is primarily a diplomatic threat, a political threat from Putin right now, you have to take it seriously. He has the means. He has the doctrine that allows him to use it. And he has the motive. He is losing this war. He has to do something to try to turn the tide of battle in desperation. He might turn to a nuclear weapon.

GOLODRYGA: Even a 5 percent or 10 percent chance is unsettling given the topic and the consequences that would come from a nuclear strike or a nuclear test. Which do you think - I know you said the probability is low, and thank goodness for that. Which do you think he would turn to first, a direct strike or a test, perhaps north in the Arctic or even in the Black Sea?

CIRINCIONE: Right. What they call a demonstration shot. And the Russian military literature talks about this. You shoot off a nuclear weapon over the Black Sea, for example, to show you're serious, to try to fracture European and American support for Ukraine, get Ukraine to surrender.

But I don't think that's shocking enough for him. If he really wants to make a shock like this, I think he will choose to use a nuclear weapon against a military target. Perhaps even a city in Ukraine. There are multiple responses that we would have to that. You might see the direct involvement of NATO and the U.S. in the war right now. Almost certainly a complete economic and diplomatic isolation of Russia.

But all of those responses we have, and there are many, have escalatory risks. So, what you want to do now is try to deter Putin from even crossing that line. That's what the Biden administration is doing. That's the purpose of these meetings that you're seeing in Europe today, to make Putin realize that this is not a winning move, that he's -- this is going to get worse for him, not better, and he will be more isolated than he ever has been before, build up of global wall of opposition to any nuclear use.

GOLODRYGA: And we are sure to hear from -- more from President Biden on this issue tonight when he speaks with our Jake Tapper at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

Joe Cirincione, thank you. We appreciate it.

CIRINCIONE: Thank you, Bianna.

GOLODRYGA: Well, still to come, a developing story in Pennsylvania this morning where more than two dozen children and daycare employees were hospitalized after a carbon monoxide leak. That news just into CNN, up next.

Plus, in Uvalde, Texas, parents have demanding his resignation for months. But even with the superintendent retiring, is tensions at last night's school board meeting, does it show anything, any road to trust while it seems to be very, very long and far away.

And calls for Los Angeles City Council members to resign grow louder. The city council president resigned Monday after audio leaked of her making racist comments about a fellow member's black child. Why many now say that's simply not enough.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:18:00]

GOLODRYGA: This just into CNN.

At least 26 children and teacher aides -- teaching aides were rushed to the hospital this morning. This following a carbon monoxide leak at a daycare center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

CNN's Martin Savidge is following this frightening story.

So, Martin, what's the latest? MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bianna.

This is being treated as a level one mass casualty event. What that essentially means is that it's possible for first responders to be overwhelmed by the sheer numbers.

This began this morning at the Happy Smiles Learning Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania. A 911 call from that facility reported they had a child unconscious. The fire department was dispatched when they got there. Their emergency equipment on their uniforms began going off indicating it was a carbon monoxide leak. They quickly began following procedure, that is to take everybody in that building and bring them outside, which is what they did. That's what you're looking at there with the aerials there. They set up a triage center and used as a quote here, every ambulance in Allentown that was available to transport the 26 people, mostly children, to four area hospitals.

We don't know their conditions at this particular time. But we do understand that in some cases parents themselves transported their own children. So, it gives you an idea of the desperation of the circumstances. And they continue to try to determine, one, where the carbon monoxide was coming from. Was it something related to the heating system in the school's air. And, of course, to treat and make sure those children and the staffers are all right.

Bianna.

GOLODRYGA: Yes, I just got goosebumps thinking about those poor families, hoping those children and staffers make it all right.

SAVIDGE: Of course.

GOLODRYGA: Martin Savidge, we'll continue to follow this story, thank you.

SAVIDGE: You're welcome.

GOLODRYGA: Well, new this morning, Uvalde School District Superintendent Hal Harrell says he plan to step down by the end of the academic school year, after months of criticism following the massacre at Robb Elementary that left 19 children and two teachers dead. But last night's school board meeting to discuss Harrell's retirement is revealing a growing divide in the Uvalde community along racial lines.

[09:20:02]

Let's go now to CNN crime and justice correspondent Shimon Prokupecz live in San Antonio for more on.

Shimon, I know you were at that school board meeting. What did the superintendent say?

SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, so the superintendent was greeted by many of his supporters, people we've never seen at these school board meetings before. You know, I've been to many of these meetings. Never seen this kind of turnout from the community members, certainly in support of the superintendent.

And it was a point of contention certainly for family members who were hurt by what they were seeing by -- from these supporters. They were cheering outside and hugging and celebrating the superintendent.

We were also there to try and ask the superintendent questions.

Take a look at my exchange with him and then, of course, a family member reacting to those supporters being outside the school board.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PROKUPECZ: Mr. Harrell, Shimon, I'm from CNN. How are you?

HAL HARRELL, UVALDE SCHOOL BOARD SUPERINTENDENT: I'm well.

PROKUPECZ: I've been trying to talk to you about the hiring of (INAUDIBLE), if you think we'll get a full accounting (INAUDIBLE).

HARRELL: I think I'm going to enjoy this right (ph) here (ph). Thank you (ph).

PROKUPECZ: I know. I understand like you - this is my only opportunity to ask you any question.

HARRELL: Yes. I'm going to visit with this people (ph) now (ph).

PROKUPECZ: I know. I understand that. But what I'm asking is to take - we'll have a full accounting for why she (ph) was hired?

BRETT CROSS, GUARDIAN OF VICTIM UZIYAH GARCIA: But I will say this, if it had been 17 white kids, all of those people out there would have been in here. All of our kids matter.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PROKUPECZ: And so there you see it, Bianna, some of the anger and the pain. The fact that Brett Cross, who's been one of the most outspoken, grieving family members who was out protesting, wanting for the school administration to make changes, taking issue with the fact that all these supporters from the community came out when the superintendent announced that he's going to be retiring. It was the first time that he has seen all of the people show up.

But yet, in all the previous meetings, they would never see these community members. Never showing up to support the families. And this is a point of pain now. A point of contention for the family members. And certainly making it very obvious that there is this divide in this community as the families continue to grieve and search for answers, Bianna.

GOLODRYGA: These poor families, they have been fighting for justice for their children for four months now. You've been following it all along the way.

Shimon Prokupecz, thank you. Well, this morning, growing calls from more L.A. City Council members

to resign. This after leaked audio revealed a stunning conversation including racist comments between the president and council members. In that conversation, President Nury Martinez made disparaging remarks following a fellow -- about a fellow council member and his black child. Martinez has since apologized and resigned, but remains a member of the council.

CNN national correspondent Nick Watt is following this story.

And, Nick, the city's mayor and the "L.A. Times" among those calling for others involved in that conversation to now step down as well.

NICK WATT, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. That resignation as president of the council has done nothing to damp this story down.

Let me just first explain exactly what happened here.

So, Nury Martinez, the president and two other council members, were in a meeting with a labor leader here in L.A. All of them Hispanic. All of them Democratic. They did not know that this conversation was being recorded. And in that conversation, they talked about Mike Bonin, another council member. He is white. He has a young black son. And the two of them went to an MLK Day parade. And, on the float, Nury Martinez says the kid was, quote, bouncing off the walls on the float, and then she said something in Spanish, which translates as, he looks like a little monkey.

She then also said that the kid needed a beatdown and she was prepared to give him that beatdown. Later in the conversation, she also joked that Mike Bonin uses his young black son as, quote, an accessory, and other council members joked, yes, like a Louis Vuitton handbag. So, that is why there is so much outrage here.

You mentioned the list of people now saying that all three of these council members should resign. That list is now very long. The teacher's union, the chamber of commerce, "The L.A. Times," the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, Senator Alex Padilla, both people running for mayor, Rick Caruso, Karen Bass, the current mayor, Eric Garcetti, and, of course, a lot of people here in Los Angeles, and also other council members.

There is a council meeting this morning. And that, I am pretty sure, is going to be fiery.

So, listen, this story tells us about what some politicians feel is language that's OK to use when they don't think anyone's listening. And it also speaks to the real divisions in L.A. on the left of center between black people and brown people. Nury Martinez also said of the district attorney, get this, f that guy, he's with the blacks.

[09:25:06]

Bianna.

GOLODRYGA: Wow. Nick Watt, thank you, as always.

WATT: Thanks.

GOLODRYGA: Well, still to come, new this hour, a stark new warning on a possible global recession. Quote, the worst is yet to come. We'll have the latest still ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:30:02]

GOLODRYGA: First on CNN, sources telling CNN that Cassidy Hutchinson, the former Trump White House aide, is cooperating with the Atlanta area